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Australian Maritime DigestISSN 2201-7003
The Australian Maritime Digest is compiled by the Australian
Association for Maritime Affairs– www.aama.asn.au -and published
monthly for the benefit of the Australian maritime community.
1 August 2013 No. 225
ContentsEditorial......................................................................................................................................................
3Has someone been shooting the messengers?
.............................................................................................................................................................................
3Ports and the Environment Seminar – 14.00-17.15 Tuesday 8 October
at Darling Harbour
.........................................................................................................3Have
your say – send a Letter to the Editor
...................................................................................................................................................................................
3…. then tell them to get their
own!..................................................................................................................................................................................................
3Is bigger
better?..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3
Maritime Defence, Customs & Border
Protection..................................................................................4Consolidation
of final keel block for first Air Warfare Destroyer
......................................................................................................................................................4First
MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter's first test flight
............................................................................................................................................................
4Blueprint for Reform of the Australian Customs and Border
Protection Service
............................................................................................................................
4Inquiry into unresolved recognition for Service with the United
States Army Small Ships Section
................................................................................................4Defence
calls on Australian companies to help solve complex capability
challenges
...................................................................................................................
4HMAS Newcastle in search for missing fishermen in the Indian Ocean
........................................................................................................................................
52013 Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards finalists
...............................................................................................................................................................
5European Commission eases customs formalities for
ships..........................................................................................................................................................
5Indian Ocean security pact
signed..................................................................................................................................................................................................5Baulderstone
to manage the construction of AWD and LHD sustainment facilities in
Sydney
......................................................................................................
5Navy commissions 808 Squadron and new MRH 90 helicopter
....................................................................................................................................................
5Exercise Talisman Saber 2013
begins............................................................................................................................................................................................5Terms
of engagement: Australia’s regional defence diplomacy
.....................................................................................................................................................
5Australia and Papua New Guinea regional settlement arrangement
.............................................................................................................................................
5Operation Sovereign Borders – Coalition policy
.............................................................................................................................................................................5Second
Annual Australia-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Meeting
...................................................................................................................................................
5Chief of the Defence Force hosts Commander US Pacific Command
...........................................................................................................................................5China
Seas Developments –
July...................................................................................................................................................................................................5Border
Protection Command Interceptions and/or Assistance – July
............................................................................................................................................
7
Shipping, Shipbuilding &
Ports...............................................................................................................
7Ministerial
Changes.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Historic
day for Maritime Sector – new national
laws.....................................................................................................................................................................
7US Ports Dredging FY2014: Record Federal Grant Recommended
..............................................................................................................................................7San
Francisco Shipping Lane
Changes.........................................................................................................................................................................................
7National Infrastructure Plan
released.............................................................................................................................................................................................
7Consolidation of final keel block for first Air Warfare Destroyer
......................................................................................................................................................8Blueprint
for Reform of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
............................................................................................................................
8Taskforce Polaris expanded to Brisbane as Taskforce Jericho
......................................................................................................................................................
8Los Angeles Ports to raise traffic mitigation fee by 8.1 percent
......................................................................................................................................................8DP
World And QUBE “Putting Lives At Risk” by delaying stevedoring
safety code
.......................................................................................................................
8Greenpeace report outlines 91 coal new projects planned for
Australia and how they drive climate change
...............................................................................
8Port Hedland record tonnage throughput for 2012/13
....................................................................................................................................................................
8Diamlemos Shipping using Cisco solution to support ships' internal
communications
..................................................................................................................
8MOL's shipboard engine emissions reduction demonstration test
.................................................................................................................................................
8QE2 to start new life as floating luxury hotel in Asia next year
.......................................................................................................................................................9Moorebank
Intermodal Company CEO
Appointed.........................................................................................................................................................................
9European Commission eases customs formalities for
ships..........................................................................................................................................................
9Income Tax Assessment (Infrastructure Project Designation) Rule
2013
......................................................................................................................................
9Port of Melbourne Board Directors
Appointed................................................................................................................................................................................
9Qube Ports training centre for Port
Kembla....................................................................................................................................................................................9LNG
bunkering in Singapore, Gothenburg and Rotterdam
............................................................................................................................................................
9ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) comes into force on 20 August
.......................................................................................................................................9Support
for a total ban on the dumping of dredged waste in the Great
Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
...................................................................................
9Marina Management
Scholarships.................................................................................................................................................................................................
9Pacific Ministers meeting to boost regional
trade...........................................................................................................................................................................
9AMSA secures research grant to examine shipping safety culture
..............................................................................................................................................
10Shipping through Russian Arctic has quadrupled in past year
.....................................................................................................................................................
10Port Expansions and the Great Barrier Reef can safely coexist
..................................................................................................................................................
10Mining companies accused of breath-taking hypocrisy over calls
for ‘tighter port regulations’
...................................................................................................
10And for the yatchties: wind-with-tide weather app
........................................................................................................................................................................
10Marine Order 98 (Marine pollution - anti-fouling systems)
2013..................................................................................................................................................
10Port of Bundaberg recovery
measures.........................................................................................................................................................................................
10Largest ever shipment of iron ore from Port Hedland
...................................................................................................................................................................10Appointment
of new Gladstone Ports Corporation Chief Executive Officer
.................................................................................................................................
10Indian Shipping Ministry plans maritime training
academy..........................................................................................................................................................
10Dry bulk shippers shun damp ore
cargoes...................................................................................................................................................................................
10Anti-fouling and in-water cleaning guidelines
................................................................................................................................................................................11Review
of the emerging ‘Accredited Operator’ concept for Customs and ports
...........................................................................................................................11Pirate
gang preying on shipping off Bintan Island, Indonesia
.......................................................................................................................................................11World
Shipping Outlook –
July......................................................................................................................................................................................................
11
http://www.aama.asn.au/
-
Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013UN, US & EU
Sanctions on Iranian shipping – July developments
..............................................................................................................................................
11
Fisheries...................................................................................................................................................12Ministerial
Changes......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
12Fisheries Management Amendment Regulation 2013 (No. 1)
.....................................................................................................................................................
12Recovery Plan for the Australian Sea
Lion...................................................................................................................................................................................
12Director of National Parks
retires..................................................................................................................................................................................................12Consistent
Fish Names applications – Deep Sea Dory and Flake
...............................................................................................................................................12AFMA’s
fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) zero-tolerance
program...................................................................................................................................12Southern
Bluefin Tuna Core and Buffer Zones 2013
....................................................................................................................................................................12Wrapping
Up the Banana Prawn Season
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
13Export approval for the high seas
fishery.....................................................................................................................................................................................
13Torres Strait Finfish Fishery Management Plan
2013...................................................................................................................................................................13Seafood
Services Australia ceases
trading..................................................................................................................................................................................
13Northern Prawn Fishery (Closures) Direction No.
165.................................................................................................................................................................
13Call for Public Comment - incidental catch (or bycatch) of
seabirds during oceanic longline fishing
..........................................................................................
13Japanese pearling mother-ship wreck
protected..........................................................................................................................................................................13'Perfect'
food for 'perfect'
prawns..................................................................................................................................................................................................13No-take
Marine Reserves make coral reefs more
resilient..........................................................................................................................................................
13Micro-plastics in the marine
environment.....................................................................................................................................................................................
13
Resource Exploration & Development
.................................................................................................13EPBC
Act referral – exploration for oil and gas in the Albrolhos
Commonwealth Marine Reserve, WA
......................................................................................13
Marine Science &
Environment.............................................................................................................
14Ministerial
Changes......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
14San Francisco Shipping Lane
Changes.......................................................................................................................................................................................
14Coastal Ocean Temperatures Changed Dramatically Over The Past
Three Decades
................................................................................................................
14Recovery Plan for the Australian Sea
Lion...................................................................................................................................................................................
14UNSW expedition studying microbes in the Indian Ocean
...........................................................................................................................................................14Harnessing
Ocean Current
Energy...............................................................................................................................................................................................14Greenpeace
report outlines 91 coal new projects planned for Australia and how
they drive climate change
.............................................................................
14MOL's shipboard engine emissions reduction demonstration test
...............................................................................................................................................
14Geoscience
supercomputing........................................................................................................................................................................................................
14Risk maps for Antarctic krill under projected Southern Ocean
acidification
.................................................................................................................................
15Ocean acidification has potential to degrade entire ecosystems,
finds study
..............................................................................................................................15A
plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
15Southern Ocean Marine Protected Areas
Talks............................................................................................................................................................................15Study
questions the impact of iron on phytoplankton blooms
......................................................................................................................................................
15Support for a total ban on the dumping of dredged waste in the
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
.................................................................................
15Further funding to protect the Great Barrier Reef
.........................................................................................................................................................................15Aerosols
influence ocean circulation
trends.................................................................................................................................................................................
15Australia takes global leadership on whale research
...................................................................................................................................................................
15Barrier reef corals deliver world first for
sunscreen......................................................................................................................................................................
15EPBC Act Referral – Aquafarms Queensland – Sydney Rock Oyster
Nursery
............................................................................................................................15Anti-fouling
and in-water cleaning guidelines
...............................................................................................................................................................................
15No-take Marine Reserves make coral reefs more
resilient..........................................................................................................................................................
16Micro-plastics in the marine
environment.....................................................................................................................................................................................
16
Letters to the
Editor................................................................................................................................
16Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Research Project – Industry
Focus Groups
....................................................................................................................16
Conferences &
seminars........................................................................................................................
164-8 August 2013 - Intermediate Marina Management Course – Gold
Coast
...............................................................................................................................
164-5 September 2013 - 4th Maritime Salvage & Casualty Response
Seminar – London, UK
......................................................................................................
179-13 September 2013 - London International Shipping Week –
London, UK
..............................................................................................................................
1723-25 September 2013 - The Annual World Congress of Ocean-2013 ,
Hangzhou, China
........................................................................................................
1722-27 September 2013 - Advanced Marina Management Course – Sydney
...............................................................................................................................177-9
October 2013 – Pacific 2013 International Maritime Conference (IMC)
– Darling Harbour, Sydney
.....................................................................................178
October 2013 - Ports and the Environment Seminar (part of Pacific
2013) - at Darling Harbour, Sydney
...............................................................................
1712-15 November 2013 - 2013 NSW Coastal Conference – Port
Macquarie, NSW
.....................................................................................................................
1716-17 October 2013 - 9th Ballast Water Management Summit –
Hamburg, Germany
................................................................................................................1720-21
November 2013 – ACI’s 7th Optimising Fuel Management &
Operational Efficiency conference – Singapore
................................................................174-5
December 2013 – Optimising Port Development – London
...................................................................................................................................................1727-28
February 2014 - 6th Intermodal Asia 2014 Australia Exhibition and
Conference – Melbourne
.........................................................................................
1719-20 March 2014 – Australian Logistics Council Forum2014 – Royal
Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
....................................................................................
177-11 April 2014 – XXII International Maritime Pilots' Association
Congress – Panama
...............................................................................................................
177-11 June 2014 – World Aquaculture Conference – Adelaide
Convention Centre, Adelaide
.......................................................................................................177-11
July 2014 - Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference –
Canberra
.....................................................................................................................
172014 (date tba) - Defence and Industry Conference - Adelaide
..................................................................................................................................................17
Subscriptions...........................................................................................................................................18
2
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013
EDITORIAL
Australian Association for Maritime AffairsThe objectives of the
Australian Association for Maritime Affairs are to generate greater
public awareness of
maritime affairs, and to encourage well-informed decision making
on maritime issues. www.aama.asn.au
Has someone been shooting the messengers?A somewhat worrying
report from journalism.co.uk tells us that “Bloomberg is seeking
reporters in its London office to cover the shipping of oil, oil
products, liquefied natural gas and dry-bulk commodities. Knowledge
of those markets and their place in the wider economy is
essential.” Bloomberg had previously been providing fairly
extensive coverage of shipping issues so, apart from demonstrating
the demanding nature of the reporting role, this article may
indicate a recent loss of reporting capability.
Given the role of shipping as a canary in the mine of global
trade and, hence, the global economy, more rather than less
shipping news should be the hope. (Australian readers should
occasionally scour our local media to see how it performs in that
regard – or not.)
Ports and the Environment Seminar – 14.00-17.15 Tuesday 8
October at Darling HarbourIt's both gratifying and slightly
worrying that the seminar on Ports and the Environment to be held
as part of the Pacific 2013 conferencesseems to be attracting so
many attendees already. Admission to the Seminar is free to
registered trade visitors to Pacific 2013, butseminar attendees are
asked to pre-register beforehand to be assured of a seat.
The seminar will address a key factor shaping the development
and growth of our major ports: environmental issues and the
regulatory framework that impacts on port operators, the shipping
industry and their stakeholders in the export and logistics
sectors.
Send an e-mail to secure your seat, and pre-register with
Pacific 2013 for a Trade Visitor's badge. That will speed up your
arrival at the Pacific 2013 conference registration and mean that
you can wander the exhibitions if you arrive at Darling Harbour
early.
Have your say – send a Letter to the EditorIf you and/or your
colleagues have a view on any maritime topic, please send a short
Letter to the Editor – [email protected] - and attach any detailed
reasoning so we can assess whether we can publish your supporting
material on the AAMA website, with a link from your Letter to the
Editor.
…. then tell them to get their own!By all means show your
colleagues if you have seen something of interest in your
Australian Maritime Digest, but then suggest that theystop
bothering you and get their own subscription. That way you can do
your bit to help the AAMA keep the Digest running, thusbenefiting
both the Australian maritime community and your personal work
environment. The subscription form is at the back.
Is bigger better?Now that the Digest has gone completely to
electronic distribution from 1 July, your Editor is no longer
constrained to 16 pages.Obviously every effort will be made to
publish only relevant material, but some editions may expand by a
few pages to accommodateslightly longer articles. Does any
subscriber have a problem with an occasionally longer Digest? Would
you prefer more short articles orfewer but longer ones? Please
e-mail [email protected]
DISCLAIMERViews expressed in the Australian Maritime Digest
do not necessarily reflect those of theAustralian Association
for Maritime Affairs – www.aama.asn.au.
3
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pacific2013.com.au/trade-visitors/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.pacific2013.com.au/conferences/conf-ports-and-environment.htmlhttp://www.journalism.co.uk/media-jobs/shipping-reporter-london/s75/a553557/http://www.aama.asn.au/
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013
MARITIME DEFENCE, CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION
Consolidation of final keel block for first Air Warfare
DestroyerMinister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP
announced the final keel block for the future destroyer, Hobart,
has been successfully lifted into place by the AWD Alliance in
Adelaide. The final keel block is the 18th of 31 blocks to be
joined into what is rapidly becoming the recognisable structure of
the Hobart.
First MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter's first test
flightMinister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP announced
the first of 24 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters has successfully
completed its first test flight. The MH-60R Seahawk Romeo will
replace the 16 Seahawk ‘Classic’ helicopters and will introduce an
air-to-surface strike capability.
Blueprint for Reform of the Australian Customs and Border
Protection ServiceThe Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for
Justice Jason Clare released the first report of the Customs Reform
Board and a Blueprintfor Reform of the Australian Customs and
Border Protection Service. Measures include: enhance patrols of the
waterfront (wharves, harbours) and airports (airside, tarmac,
baggage areas) around the country; increase remote area patrols;
and investigate full electronic data reporting for all goods
arriving and departing our borders.
Inquiry into unresolved recognition for Service with the United
States Army Small Ships SectionThe Parliamentary Secretary for
Defence, Senator Feeney, said: “The independent Defence Honours and
Awards Appeals Tribunal will inquire into unresolved recognition
for service with the United States Army Small Ships Section.” and
“I have asked the tribunal to inquire into what Australian and
Imperial awards service with the US Army Small Ships Section should
attract, including for service with the section after 1945”.
Submissions to the inquiry will close on Friday, 16 August
2013.
Defence calls on Australian companies to help solve complex
capability challengesMinister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM
MP called on Australian companies to participate in complex
capability problem solving for Australian warfighters by announcing
the latest ‘Invitation to Participate’ in Defence’s Rapid
Prototyping, Development and Evaluation Program (RPDE). [Use of the
term “warfighter” in this statement seems to be a refreshingly
blunt statement of the primary role of the ADF – Editor]
4
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/05/minister-for-defence-materiel-defence-calls-on-australian-companies-to-help-solve-complex-capability-challenges/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/05/parliamentary-secretary-for-defence-inquiry-into-unresolved-recognition-for-service-with-the-united-states-army-small-ships-section/http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ACBPS-Blueprint-for-Reform-2013-2018.pdfhttp://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/CustomsReformBoard-FirstReport-June2013.aspxhttp://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/03/minister-for-defence-materiel-the-hon-dr-mike-kelly-am-mp-romeos-first-flight/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/02/consolidation-of-final-keel-block-for-first-air-warfare-destroyer/
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013HMAS Newcastle in search
for missing fishermen in the Indian OceanThe Department of Defence
reported that “HMAS Newcastle has combined with the Chinese
People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) warship Mianyang to search
for survivors of a damaged fishing trawler in Middle Eastern
waters. Newcastle and Mianyang worked together to conduct a search
and rescue operation in the Indian Ocean, 350 nautical miles north
of Seychelles.”
2013 Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards finalistsComcare
announced the finalists for its 2013 awards, including HMAS
Warramunga for “sustainable performance optimisation through
leadership”.
European Commission eases customs formalities for shipsThe
European Commission set out plans to ease internal custom
formalities for ships – reducing red tape, cutting delays in ports
and making the sector more competitive. With the new Commission
proposals, shipping transport will face less administrative hurdles
and therefore be able to be used to its full potential in the EU
internal market and beyond.
Indian Ocean security pact signedThe Hindu reported “India, Sri
Lanka and the Maldives will share capacities and information to
address threats to maritime security — such as piracy, terrorism
and gunrunning —in the Indian Ocean and to pursue sustainable
development of maritime environment.”
Baulderstone to manage the construction of AWD and LHD
sustainment facilities in SydneyThe Parliamentary Secretary for
Defence, Senator Feeney, announced that Baulderstone Pty Ltd will
be appointed to manage the construction of new and refurbished
sustainment facilities in Sydney for the Royal Australian Navy’s
new Air Warfare Destroyers and Landing Helicopter Dock ships. The
projects will provide berthing infrastructure, permanent
maintenance, and systems support facilities for the new ships at
Garden Island, and training facilities at Randwick Barracks and
HMAS Watson.
Navy commissions 808 Squadron and new MRH 90 helicopterDefence
announced the commissioning ceremony held at HMAS Albatross, near
Nowra, NSW. 808 Squadron will be based at the Naval Air Station,
HMAS Albatross and its air craft will operate from the Navy’s
amphibious and afloat support ships such as HMA Ships Success,
Tobruk and Choules.
Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 beginsDefence announced the
commencement of Exercise Talisman Saber on 15 July. Talisman Saber
is a biennial training activity jointly sponsored by the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) Joint Operations Command and the US Pacific
Command to train the United States 7th Fleet and Australian
Deployable Joint Headquarters staffs as a designated Combined Task
Force.
Terms of engagement: Australia’s regional defence diplomacyThe
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released this report,
which “makes a number of recommendations including that our defence
engagement in the priority regions should focus on the maritime
dimension. The highest priority should be attached to implementing
the Pacific Maritime Security Project as the cornerstone of our
maritime security engagement in the South Pacific.”
Australia and Papua New Guinea regional settlement arrangementIn
a joint media statement, Kevin Rudd - Prime Minister, Mark Dreyfus
- Attorney General and The Hon Tony Burke MP - Australian Minister
for Immigration said “As of today [19 July] asylum seekers who come
here by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia.
Under the new arrangement signed with Papua New Guinea today – the
Regional Settlement Arrangement – unauthorised arrivals will be
sent to Papua New Guinea for assessment and if found to be a
refugee will be settled there. Arriving in Australia by boat will
no longer mean settlement in Australia.”
Operation Sovereign Borders – Coalition policyOpposition Leader
Tony Abbott announced that “A Coalition government will establish a
military-led response to combat people smuggling and to protect our
borders – Operation Sovereign Borders.”
Second Annual Australia-Indonesia Defence Ministers' MeetingIn a
statement issued after the Second Annual Australia-Indonesia
Defence Ministers' Meeting, Mr Smith said, inter alia, “We also
agreed to share lessons learnt on submarine maintenance and
sustainment, and to explore options for cooperation on submarine
rescue.”
Chief of the Defence Force hosts Commander US Pacific
CommandChief of the Defence Force General David Hurley hosted the
Commander of the United States Pacific Command (PACOM), Admiral
Samuel Locklear III, in Cairns for the annual Australia-PACOM
Military Representatives (MILREPS) meeting.
China Seas Developments – JulyIf any reader has become confused
about about which country claims what in the South China Sea, the
BBC published a helpful map in late January, which puts the issues
in better perspective.
Reuters reported that “China agreed to hold formal talks with
Southeast Asian nations on a plan to ease maritime tensions on
Sunday [30 June] as the Philippines accused it of causing
"increasing militarization" of the South China Sea, one of Asia's
naval flashpoints.”
5
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/30/us-asean-southchinasea-idUSBRE95T03V20130630http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349http://news.defence.gov.au/2013/07/30/chief-of-the-defence-force-hosts-commander-us-pacific-command-2/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/26/minister-for-defence-second-annual-australia-indonesia-defence-ministers-meeting/http://lpaweb-static.s3.amazonaws.com/Policies/OperationSovereignBorders_Policy.pdfhttp://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2013/07/25/operation-sovereign-bordershttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/tb/2013/tb205550.htmjavascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ContentPlaceHolder1$GridView1$ctl02$HLink_PDF1','')http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=365http://news.defence.gov.au/2013/07/15/exercise-talisman-saber-2013-begins/http://news.defence.gov.au/2013/07/11/navy-commissions-808-squadron-and-new-mrh-90-helicopter/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2013/07/11/parliamentary-secretary-for-defence-multi-million-dollar-projects-for-sydney/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/indian-ocean-security-pact-signed/article4898042.ecehttp://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-652_en.htmhttps://comcare.gov.au/news__and__media/media_centre/2013_comcare_work_health_and_safety_awards_finalists_announcedhttp://news.defence.gov.au/2013/07/06/hmas-newcastle-in-search-for-missing-fishermen-in-the-indian-ocean/
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013Detroit Free Press
reported “China will join Russia later this week [1-8 July] for its
largest-ever naval drills with a foreign partner, underscoring
deepening ties between the former Cold War rivals along with
Beijing's desire for closer links with regional militaries.”
The Christian Science Monitor reported that “China, confident
after a recent high-level meeting in the United States and
bilateral talks with regional rivals, is ignoring a second round of
US advice to sign a code of conduct that could ease the threat of
conflict in a crowded, contested tract of Asian ocean.” whereas the
Bangkok Post reported that “China has agreed to discuss a code of
conduct to ease the dispute over the South China Sea, Thailand's
ambassador to Brunei says.”
The final paragraph of the communique from the Australia -
Republic of Korea Foreign and Defence Ministers (2+2) Meeting reads
“Australia and the ROK also agreed on the importance of maritime
security and safety, freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful
commerce, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South
China Sea in accordance with international law, including the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They
supported the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South
China Sea. They welcomed the ASEAN Chair’s statement at the ASEAN
Leaders’ Summit in April .In a statement following his visit to
Japan, the Australian Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, said “As
trading nations, Australia and Japan are like-minded on the
importance of maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation
and unimpeded lawful commerce. I took the opportunity to reiterate
to Minister Onodera the Australian Government’s commitment to the
peaceful resolution of disputes in the South and East China Seas in
accordance with international law, including the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea.” [References to UNCLOS with
regard to the South China Sea disputes are not very oblique
rejections of China's refusal to accept the UNCLOS as a basis for
settling its territorial claims – Editor]
The US DoD newspaper Stars and Stripes gave a reasonably hopeful
summary of the China Sea situation - Positive trends greet Navy’s
Asia deployments, but tensions at sea remain – while displaying a
glint of the steel underlying the US position.
The Canadian Big News Network reported that: “China is trying to
"use force to change the status quo" in the South China Sea region
by displaying its military might, says Japan's annual defense paper
that was adopted Tuesday [8 July]. The crucial document is the
first since Japan nationalized a set of disputed islands known as
Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China in September, worsening a
long-standing territorial dispute with China.” and, the article
continues: “China has in its counterattack described the annual
report full of "untruthful accusations". China's foreign ministry
slammed the accusations and in turn alleged that "some political
forces" in Japan are "advocating for the strengthening of their
military and preparing for war".
The Voice of America repor ted “U.S. and Chinese diplomats meet
in Washington Wednesday [17 July?] for a security and economic
dialogue expected to include rival territorial claims to the South
China Sea.”
The Hindu reported that “Despite China having made noises about
India exploring for oil in the Phu Kanh Basin of the South China
Sea, Vietnam said on Thursday [11 July] that New Delhi was within
its rights to do so because the area came under its “exclusive
economic zone.” Vietnam had been displeased with India’s decision
to suspend exploration operations in block no. 128 over a year
ago.”
Eleven (Myanmar) reported that “Myanmar will be forced to walk a
fine line between being a close ally of China and dealing with the
disputed territory in the South China Sea when the country takes up
Asean chairmanship in 2014.”
Channel NewsAsia reported that “Singapore and the US are holding
the annual maritime drill Exercise CARAT - short for Singapore-US
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training - from 15 to 26 July in
the South China Sea.”
The Philippines GMA News reported that “A United Nations
tribunal has been convened in the Netherlands to look into a
complaint filed by the Philippines questioning the legality of
China’s massive territorial claim in the resource-rich South China
Sea.”
UPI reported that “The China National Offshore Oil Corp. said it
signed a production sharing contract with BP to develop deep water
reserves in the South China Sea. CNOOC said it signed with deal
with BP for work in the Pearl River basin in the eastern section of
the South China Sea.”
China Daily reported “Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin
said on Friday [19 July] that China will continue its efforts to
promote peace, cooperation, stability and development in the South
China Sea region. Liu made the remarks while addressing the Second
Workshop on Cooperation and Development in the South China Sea.
China.org.cn reported “China's patrol vessel Haixun 21 set out
for a five-day patrol mission on the waters of Xisha Islands in
South China Sea on July 22, 2013. It will monitor maritime traffic
safety, investigate maritime accidents, detect pollution, and carry
out search and rescue work. Also on Monday, the restructured State
Oceanic Administration (SOA) went into formal operation. The SOA
integrates functions of China Marine Surveillance, the coast guard
forces of the Public Security Ministry, the fisheries law
enforcement command of the Agriculture Ministry and the maritime
anti-smuggling police of the General Administration of Customs.
According to a rule recently approved by the State Council, the SOA
will increase its duties concerning law enforcement and the
protection of maritime rights.”
Aljazeera rep orted that Filipino protesters demonstrated in
front of the Chinese consulate in Manila, demanding that China stop
its claims and get out of disputed territories in the South China
Sea. The Malaya Business Insight reported “More than 600 protesters
belonging to the West Philippine Sea Coalition, an umbrella group
of about 30 cause-oriented groups, yesterday [24 July] staged a
rally in front of the Chinese consular office in Makati City
[Philippines] to denounce China’s sweeping claim to much of the
South China Sea and its incursion in Philippine territorial waters.
But the consulate was closed yesterday, with the officials citing
“security concerns.””
Channel NewsAsia reported that “Vietnam's president on Thursday
[24 July] voiced firm opposition to China's claims in the South
China Sea but declined to back a Philippine bid to take the row to
a UN tribunal.”
Stars and Stripes reported that “Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe on Saturday [27 July] pledged more assistance to the
Philippines in securing its seas amid territorial disputes with
China.”
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013In a speech in Hongkong,
Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr said “We continue to call on
all parties, including but not only China, to resolve their
differences through peaceful means, in accordance with
international law. Australia's Defence White Paper sets out clearly
our view that the US – China relationship is the most important
determinant of our strategic outlook.”
The Washington Post reported that “The Philippines plans to
relocate major air force and navy camps to a former U.S. naval base
northwest of Manila to gain faster access to waters being contested
by China in the South China Sea, according to the country’s defense
chief and a confidential government report.”
The Global Post reported that “China has turned on a
1,100-kilometer gas pipeline that ships natural gas to southern
China from Myanmar. The pipeline, built largely by the state-owned
China National Petroleum Corp., gives China a vital overland supply
route without passing through the South China Sea.”
Border Protection Command Interceptions and/or Assistance –
JulyThe Home Affairs Minister, Jason Clare, reported in July: 1
July ACV Ocean Protector (intercept), 2 July merchant vessel
(assist), 3 July HMAS Warramunga (assist), 3 July HMAS Warramunga
(2nd assist), 4 July HMAS Bundaberg (assist), 4 July HMAS Larrakia
(assist), 5 July Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs
and Border Protection Service (“detect” [presumably “intercept”]),
5 July HMAS Larrakia (assist), 6 July HMAS Warramunga (assist), 6
July HMAS Bathurst (intercept), 7 July ACV Triton (assist), 8/9
July HMAS Bathurst (intercept), 9 July HMAS Bundaberg (assist), 10
July HMAS Bathurst (assist), 10 July HMAS Warramunga (assist),
11/12 July HMAS Bathurst and ACV Triton (assist), 13 July HMAS
Warramunga (assist), 13 July ACV Ocean Protector (intercept), 13/14
July ACVTriton and HMAS Bathurst (assist), 14 July HMAS Maitland
(intercept), 14 July HMAS Albany (intercept), 14 July HMAS Bathurst
(assist), 15 July HMAS Albany and ACV Triton (assist), 16 July HMAS
Bathurst (assist), 17 July ACV Triton and HMAS Bathurst (assist),
19 July Customs and Border Protection (intercept), 19 July Western
Australian Police vessel, Delphinus with Australian Customs and
Border Protection Service officers on board (intercept), 19 July
new asylum seeker arrangements announced, 20 July HMAS Bathurst
(assist), 23 July HMAS Huon (intercept), 23 July HMAS Maryborough
(assist), 23 July HMAS Maryborough (2nd assist), 23 July HMAS
Melville (assist), 23 July HMAS Bathurst (assist), 24 July HMAS
Maryborough (intercept), 24 July HMAS Bathurst (intercept), 24 July
HMAS Maryborough (assist), 25 July Australian Customs and Border
Protection Service officers, with the support of the Australian
Federal Police (intercept), 25 July HMAS Bathurst (assist), 25 July
HMAS Maryborough (assist), 25 July HMAS Maryborough (intercept), 26
July HMAS Bathurst (assist), 30 July HMAS Maryborough (assist).
SHIPPING, SHIPBUILDING & PORTS
Ministerial ChangesThe Prime Minister, Mr Rudd, announced the
following ministerial and parliamentary secretarial changes of
relevance to Australia's maritime interests:
• The Deputy Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, will take on the
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio in
addition to Infrastructure and Transport.
• Kim Carr will join the Cabinet as the Minister for Innovation,
Industry, Science and Research and Minister for Higher
Education.
• Mark Butler will take on the portfolios of Climate Change,
Environment, Heritage and Water.
• Joel Fitzgibbon joins the Cabinet as Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry
• Matt Thistlethwaite will add Infrastructure and Transport to
his existing Parliamentary Secretary responsibilities.
Historic day for Maritime Sector – new national lawsThe Minister
for Transport, Mr Albanese, said “New national laws which regulate
the safety of ships and seafarers and ensure shipping is conducted
in a manner which protects Australia's precious marine environment
come into effect today [1 July]. The commencement of the Navigation
Bill 2012 and the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel)
National Law Bill 2012 are the biggest reforms to Australia's
maritime sector in more than a century.”
US Ports Dredging FY2014: Record Federal Grant
RecommendedMarineLink.com reported that “The U.S. Senate
Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development completed its mark up of the fiscal 2014 appropriation
bill for the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, which includes a record $1 billion draw from the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund for maintaining America’s federal navigation
channels and related infrastructure.”
San Francisco Shipping Lane ChangesThe California Academy of
Sciences says that as of June 1st, 2013, commercial shipping
vessels leaving and entering San Francisco Bay are required to stay
in the shipping lanes for an extended distance of approximately 6
miles to reduce the incidence of strikes on whales.
National Infrastructure Plan releasedInfrastructure Australia
released its National Infrastructure Plan, the organisation’s
latest report to the Council of Australian Governments.
Recommendations include:
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diareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/9July2013-BorderProtectionCommandassistsvessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/8July2013-BorderProtectionCommandinterceptsvessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/7-July-2013---Border-Protection-Command-assists-vessel2.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/6-July-2013---Border-Protection-Command-assists-vessel-2.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/6-July-2013---AFP-and-ACBPS-detects-vessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/6-July-2013---AFP-and-ACBPS-detects-vessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/7-July-2013---Border-Protection-Command-assists-vessel-.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/6-July-2013---Border-Protection-Command-assists-vessel-.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/5July2013-BorderProtectionCommandassistsvessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/4July2013-BorderProtectionCommandassistsvessel.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/4-July-2013---Merchant-vessel-renders-assistance.aspxhttp://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20Quarter/2July2013-BorderProtectionCommandinterceptsvessel.aspxhttp://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/130729/china-built-gas-pipeline-through-myanmar-operationhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-to-move-air-force-navy-camps-for-faster-access-to-disputed-south-china-sea-areas/2013/07/28/d68eed8a-f750-11e2-81fa-8e83b3864c36_story.htmlhttp://foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2013/bc_sp_130729.html
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 20131. Establishing a single
national infrastructure fund;
2. Moving from grant funding of infrastructure to a system that
encourages private investment;
3. Selling or long-term leasing of government infrastructure
assets and re-investing the proceeds in new infrastructure;
4. Wider application of user pays funding arrangements,
especially but not only in the freight sector, but on the proviso
that users get a say in scoping new projects; and
5. Improvements to project governance and procurement to reduce
the cost of developing new infrastructure.
The report also updates the National Infrastructure Priority
List of projects. [Ports are addressed at pages 42-55 of the main
Plan (Page 50 points out the lack of long-term plans for ports,
apart from Gladstone), and the Infrastructure Priority List is at
pages 96-122, with possible ports infrastructure projects (none
ready to start) addressed at page 100 - Editor]
Consolidation of final keel block for first Air Warfare
DestroyerMinister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP
announced the final keel block for the future destroyer, Hobart,
has been successfully lifted into place by the AWD Alliance in
Adelaide. The final keel block is the 18th of 31 blocks to be
joined into what is rapidly becoming the recognisable structure of
the Hobart.
Blueprint for Reform of the Australian Customs and Border
Protection ServiceThe Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for
Justice Jason Clare released the first report of the Customs Reform
Board and a Blueprintfor Reform of the Australian Customs and
Border Protection Service. Maritime measures include: enhance
patrols of the waterfront (wharves, harbours) and airports
(airside, tarmac, baggage areas) around the country; increase
remote area patrols; and investigate full electronic data reporting
for all goods arriving and departing our borders.
Taskforce Polaris expanded to Brisbane as Taskforce
JerichoMinister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason
Clare announced the commencement of operations for Taskforce
Jericho – a multi-agency law enforcement taskforce which will
target organised crime in the cargo system in Brisbane. The Federal
Government has invested $5.6 million to expand the successful work
of Taskforce Polaris model to Melbourne and Brisbane. Taskforce
Polaris was established in July 2010 to investigate organised crime
on the waterfront in Sydney.
Los Angeles Ports to raise traffic mitigation fee by 8.1
percentL.A. Biz reported that “Marine terminal operators will raise
the traffic mitigation fee at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long
Beach by 8.1 percent beginning Aug. 19. The increase will sustain
continued operation of PierPass OffPeak gates amid increases in
labor costs”.
DP World And QUBE “Putting Lives At Risk” by delaying
stevedoring safety codeThe Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has
strongly denounced “a move by a minority of stevedoring companies
to try to delay the approval of the first-ever National Stevedoring
Code of Practice”, saying “The Department of Finance and
Deregulation has ordered a Regulation Impact Statement, even though
an expert group of stakeholders recently agreed that there was no
new cost associated with NSCOP and, as a consequence, Safe Work
Australia agreed to release the code for public comment.”
Greenpeace report outlines 91 coal new projects planned for
Australia and how they drive climate changeGreenpeace released a
report which concluded “if these 91 projects are built, they would
significantly add to already dangerous levels of global warming.
These are the projects that must be halted if we’re to meet our
climate change commitments, and protect the future wellbeing of the
country.” [This is presumably of interest to port authorities, as
well as the coal companies - Editor]
Port Hedland record tonnage throughput for 2012/13The Port
Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) has reported a record tonnage
throughput of 288.4 Million tonnes (Mt) for the 2012/13 financial
year, an increase of 17% from the previous year. Total throughput
for the month of June 2013 was 28.2Mt, an increase of 27% from the
same month in 2012. Iron ore exports for the month of June totalled
27.7Mt, an increase of 29% from the same month in 2012.
Diamlemos Shipping using Cisco solution to support ships'
internal communicationsMenafn.com (Middle East North Africa
Financial Network) reported that: “Cisco CSCO said that the
Diamlemos Shipping Corp. has decided to implement a unique
telecommunications solution that is specifically designed for the
shipping industry: SmartBox-V. The SmartBox-V is an integrated
bundle of Software and quality Services from Setel running on a
Cisco blade server which is hosted within a Cisco modular 2900
series router. This solution will allow Diamlemos to reduce the
complexity of on-vessel communications equipment.” and “Diamlemos
Shipping is one of the oldest Hellenic shipping companies.”
MOL's shipboard engine emissions reduction demonstration
testMitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced plans to install the
Selective catalytic Reduction (SCR) system — jointly developed by
MOL, Yanmar Co. Ltd, and Namura Shipbuilding Co.— on all three
power generators of an MOL-operated oceangoing freighter for a
demonstration test. This test demonstrates NOx denitration under
the actual operation of freighter, to meet the Tier III NOx
regulations set by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO).
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013QE2 to start new life as
floating luxury hotel in Asia next yearDubai Drydocks World
announced that Dubai Drydocks, in partnership with Oceanic Group
International Limited, will have spent another $90 million to
refurbish the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) before it steams
out of the emirate in October to be moored somewhere in Asia as a
400-room luxury hotel. Dubai World's investment arm Istithmar
bought the ship from Cunard for $100 million back in 2007, but the
2008 debt crunch left the conglomerate heavily indebted.
Moorebank Intermodal Company CEO AppointedMinister for
Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, and Minister for
Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, announced the
appointment of Ian Hunt as the new Chief Executive Officer of the
Moorebank Intermodal Company. One of his central tasks will be to
oversee the formal procurement process that will identify private
companies to develop and operate the Terminal. The formal
procurement process is expected to commence in August 2013, with
construction of the Intermodal Terminal planned to commence in
mid-2015. It will open for business in 2017.
European Commission eases customs formalities for shipsThe
European Commission set out plans to ease internal custom
formalities for ships – reducing red tape, cutting delays in ports
and making the sector more competitive. With the new Commission
proposals, shipping transport will face less administrative hurdles
and therefore be able to be used to its full potential in the EU
internal market and beyond.
Income Tax Assessment (Infrastructure Project Designation) Rule
2013The Assistant Treasurer, David Bradbury, made this rule, under
legislation which aims to reduce the disincentives for private
expenditure on nationally significant infrastructure that result
from the long lead times between incurring deductions for, and
earning assessable income from, such expenditure. The rules set out
processes and conditions relating to applications for designated
infrastructure project status. [e.g. ports – Editor]
Port of Melbourne Board Directors AppointedVIC Minister for
Ports David Hodgett announced four appointments to the Port of
Melbourne Corporation Board: to renew appointments for Deputy Chair
James Cain and Director David Cranwell, and appoint new Directors
Alice Williams and Jim Marshall.
Qube Ports training centre for Port KemblaThe Illawarra Mercury
reported that Qube Ports has officially opened a Japanese-style
Pure Car Carrier (PCC) Dojo Training Centre in Port Kembla.
LNG bunkering in Singapore, Gothenburg and RotterdamLloyd's
Register announced that it has won a Maritime and Port Authority of
Singapore (MPA) contract “to develop operational procedures and
technical standards required to develop LNG bunkering capabilities
in the Port of Singapore. In the contracted work, which has already
commenced, Lloyd’s Register will identify technical specifications,
LNG bunkering procedures, and development of crew competency for
LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore, to support Singapore in
developing its ambitions to develop the capability and
infrastructure to supply LNG as a fuel for ships.”
MarineLink.com reported “Liquefied natural gas for shipping by
2015 at the latest is the pledge in a collaboration between the
Ports of Gothenberg and Rotterdam and private infrastructure
companies spurred on by a SEK 305-million European Union
grant.”
ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) comes into force on 20
AugustThe International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued advice
to shipowners to help them pre-empt port state control problems
when the Convention enters in force on 20 August. The ICS said
“Regardless of the progress which may or may not have been made by
a vessel’s flag state, ships are required to meet the standards in
the Convention. Our brochure therefore seeks to explain the current
situation and the measures that operators might take to demonstrate
compliance, even if they have not yet been issued with MLC
certification.”
Support for a total ban on the dumping of dredged waste in the
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage AreaThe Australian Marine
Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund reported that
“research shows more than three-quarters of people in the
Queensland electorate of Capricornia [75.2%] support a total ban on
the dumping of dredged waste in the waters of the Great Barrier
Reef World Heritage Area.”
Marina Management ScholarshipsSuperior and the Marina Industries
Association (MIA) announced that the winner of the Superior
Intermediate Marina Management (IMM) Scholarship is Robert Ditcham,
Senior Dockmaster at Queenscliff Harbour in Victoria. Later, the
Marina Industries Association announced that applications are
sought from suitably qualified personnel in the marina industries
to apply for a scholarship to attend the Advanced Marina Management
(AMM) School being held in Sydney from 22-27 September.
Applications close on 9 August.
Pacific Ministers meeting to boost regional tradeMinister for
Trade Richard Marles and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island
Affairs Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, welcomed outcomes from the
2013 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, held in Apia.
“The officials' negotiating sessions and workshops held to date in
the PACER Plus negotiations have made progress on the agreed
priority issues of: rules of origin; trade facilitation
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http://trademinister.gov.au/releases/2013/rm_mr_130719.htmlmailto:[email protected]?subject=Advanced%20Marina%20Management%20-%20Scholarshiphttp://www.marinas.net.au/training/advanced-marina-managementhttp://www.marinas.net.au/http://www.superiorjetties.com/http://www.marineconservation.org.au/news.php/88/new-poll-support-for-ban-on-reef-dumpinghttp://www.ics-shipping.org/ilopscguidance.pdfhttp://www.ics-shipping.org/pressreleases.htm#July%2012http://www.marinelink.com/news/european-project-funding356936.aspxhttp://www.lr.org/news_and_events/news/247675-lloyds-register-to-support-development-of-lng-bunkering-in-singapore.aspxhttp://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1634754/port-kembla-gets-state-of-art-training-centre/?cs=12http://www.portofmelbourne.com/media/current-media-releases/2013/july/new-board-directorshttp://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L01335http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-652_en.htmhttp://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2013/July/aa122_2013.aspxhttp://www.drydocks.gov.ae/en/news/qe.aspx
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013(customs procedures,
sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical regulations,
standards and conformity assessment procedures); regional labour
mobility; and development assistance.
AMSA secures research grant to examine shipping safety
cultureThe Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the
University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia
will investigate the safety culture of shipping operations over a
three-year period. AMSA and UQ have been successful in securing a
linkage grant through the Australian Research Council (ARC) to
examine the predictors and outcomes of safety culture in the
Australian maritime industry. The project will be undertaken
through UQ’s School of Psychology, supported by AMSA’s Human
Factors section in the Ship Operations and Qualifications area.
Shipping through Russian Arctic has quadrupled in past yearThe
Anchorage Daily News repor ted: “For years people have been
speculating that the melting of Arctic sea ice due to climate
change would open new shipping lanes. In fact, it's happening now.
The Financial Times reports that, as of last week, 204 ships had
received permits this year to ply the Northern Sea Route, which
connects East Asia to Europe via the waters off of Russia's
northern coast. Last year, just 46 vessels made the trip. Two years
ago, the number was four.” [Shorter passages will add to the
general shipping glut – Editor]
Port Expansions and the Great Barrier Reef can safely
coexistNorth Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation said “much of the
debate is misinformed and has the potential to adversely impact the
economy of this country and hence future investment in the health
and wellbeing of the Great Barrier Reef”
Mining companies accused of breath-taking hypocrisy over calls
for ‘tighter port regulations’The Australian Marine Conservation
Society accused multi-national mining companies of breath-taking
hypocrisy over calls for ‘tighter port regulations’. Felicity
Wishart, Great Barrier Reef campaign director said calls for
tighter port regulation were stunning given the same companies
strong push for governments to cut environmental protection
legislation or so-called ‘green tape’.
And for the yatchties: wind-with-tide weather appTidetech says
“Advanced weather app WeatherTrack has integrated Tidetech’s global
high-resolution tide and current data to create one of the most
complete mobile weather apps for sailors and marine enthusiasts.
High-resolution regions include San Francisco – developed for the
34th America’s Cup – The Solent and Sydney Harbour, while tides and
currents with a resolution ranging from 200 metres to 10km cover
the English Channel, east coast USA, southwest UK, Mediterranean,
Singapore and Malacca Straits, South China Sea and more.”
Marine Order 98 (Marine pollution - anti-fouling systems)
2013The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) made this
order, which gives effect to those provisions of the International
Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships
that provide for controls on anti-fouling systems and for the
survey, inspection and certification of ships for those systems,
and prescribes survey and certification requirements and forms to
be used to report happenings.
Port of Bundaberg recovery measuresAttorney-General and Minister
for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC, Queensland Community
Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli and Parliamentary
Secretary to the Attorney-General and Member for Blair Shayne
Neumann announced that work will commence immediately to reopen the
Port of Bundaberg to full-size ships. Heavy silting after severe
flooding in early 2013 has prevented full-sized ships from entering
the Port of Bundaberg bulk sugar facility, forcing the sugar
industry to rely on smaller, more costly ships to carry Queensland
sugar to export markets.
Largest ever shipment of iron ore from Port HedlandThe Port
Hedland Port Authority said “The largest ever shipment of iron ore
has left Port Hedland (on Wednesday evening, 24 July 2013) with
256,646 tonnes aboard the Fortescue loaded vessel, PSU Eighth. This
breaks the previous record for the largest single shipment of iron
ore from Port Hedland by 196 tonnes, which was set on 9 June 2013
with 256,450 tonnes aboard the PSU Seventh.” [That's probably
enough of these in the Digest, unless the record is being broken by
a significant amount – Editor]
Appointment of new Gladstone Ports Corporation Chief Executive
OfficerGladstone Ports Corporation announced that it has appointed
a new Chief Executive Officer, Craig Doyle, to commence with the
corporation on Monday 16 September 2013.
Indian Shipping Ministry plans maritime training academyThe New
Indian Express reported that “The Union Shipping Minister on
Saturday [27 July] announced that Shipping Corporation of India
would set up a maritime training academy at Thoothkudi in
collaboration with VOC Chidambaranar Port Trust.”
Dry bulk shippers shun damp ore cargoesMalaya Business Insight
reported that “Measures to tackle high moisture content in iron and
nickel ores shipped across oceans have increased awareness of the
risks of cargoes liquefying and capsizing ships, leading to
rejections of cargoes on safety grounds.”
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http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/shipping-and-transportation/37020-dry-bulk-shippers-shun-damp-ore-cargoeshttp://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Shipping-Ministry-plans-maritime-training-academy-in-coastal-town/2013/07/28/article1705576.ecehttp://www.gpcl.com.au/Portals/0/2013%20media%20releases/26_July_2013_GPC_appoints_new_CEO.pdfhttp://phpa.com.au/About-us/News-and-announcements/News/NEW-SINGLE-SHIPMENT-RECORD-FOR-THE-PHPA.aspx?feed=newshttp://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Third%20quarter/24July2013-RuddGovernmenttokeepthesugarflowingthroughBundaberg.aspxhttp://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L01422https://www.tidetech.org/sailing/news/Wind_with_tide_makes_for_app_iSailing.htmlhttp://www.marineconservation.org.au/news.php/94/miners-guilty-of-breathtaking-hypocrisyhttp://www.nqbp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Great-Barrier-Reef-and-Port-Expansions.pdfhttp://www.adn.com/2013/07/23/2987170/shipping-through-russian-arctic.htmlhttp://www.adn.com/2013/07/23/2987170/shipping-through-russian-arctic.htmlhttp://www.amsa.gov.au/media/media-releases/2013/documents/10072013%20Media%20Release%20Shipping%20Safety.pdf
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Australian Maritime Digest 1 August 2013Anti-fouling and
in-water cleaning guidelinesThe Standing Committee on Primary
Industries has endorsed new guidelines, which provide guidance on
best practice approaches for the application, maintenance and
removal of anti-fouling coatings, and the management of biofouling
on vessels and moveable structures in Australia and New Zealand.
The guidelines replace the Australian and New Zealand Environment
and Conservation Council Code of Practice for Anti-fouling and
In-water Hull Cleaning and Maintenance, 1997 (the ANZECC Code). [It
is understood that AMSA will publlish the relevant Marine Order
shortly – Editor]
Review of the emerging ‘Accredited Operator’ concept for Customs
and portsThe Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) at the
University of Canberra is undertaking a review of the emerging
‘Accredited Operator’ concept which, internationally and locally,
is being espoused by a number of regulatory agencies in the form of
‘Authorised Economic Operator’ (AEO), ‘Regulated Shipper’,
‘Regulated Agent’, ‘Accredited Agent’, ‘Approved Exporter’, and
‘Registered Operator’ programs which have emerged as a result of
international initiatives relating to supply chain security and
trade facilitation. [For more details see Letters to the
Editor]
Pirate gang preying on shipping off Bintan Island,
IndonesiaInterManager reported “Security experts have warned that
an organised criminal gang is preying on shipping off Bintan
Island, Indonesia. The warning comes in the latest piracy report
from security consultants AKE Maritime which cites two attacks off
Tanjung Berakit.”
World Shipping Outlook – JulyAs a reference point for many of
the following reports on the world shipping outlook, here is the
Baltic Dry Index.
The Market Realist reported why shipping rates for tankers
continue to fall. [Well worth a read if you want to appreciate some
of the drivers of both the tanker market and the general outlook
for oil, particularly in the light of US shale oil and LNG
production – Editor]
Later, another Market Realist analyst reported “During May, the
average vessel prices for 15-year-old Panamax, Handymax/Supramax,
and Handysize ships rose to an eight-month high.” [Which apparently
suggests an imminent dry bulk recovery if one uses a magnifying
glass when looking at the last stages of the graph in the article –
Editor]
Reuters reported that “Commerzbank is more optimistic about its
shipping business, easing investor concerns about the German bank's
exposure to the struggling sector and sending its shares sharply
higher. “We have always said that we expect provisions for bad ship
loansto remain stable in 2013 at high levels and nothing has
changed, except that I am a bit more optimistic today than several
months ago," Chief Financial Officer Stephan Engels said.” [The CFO
was “clarifying” earlier statements which had cause a drop in
Commerzbank's share price – Editor]
Business Recorder repor ted “China Rongsheng Heavy Industries
Group, China's largest private shipbuilder, appealed for financial
help from the Chinese government and big shareholders on Friday
after cutting its workforce and delaying payments to suppliers.”
while SinoShipNews repo rted “Anhui Wuhu Shihui Jianghai Shipping,
the largest private shipping company in Anhui province, has gone
into bankruptcy, and the boss of the company has run away and is
nowhere to be found.” [Sometimes the meaning is not lost in
translation, but actually amplified - Editor]
In a similar vein, China Daily rep orted “Even though China's
first-half export performance was stable, the vast shipping sector
will remain vulnerable as limited cashflows, lower freight rates
and tight liquidity squeeze the industry.”
The Port of Los Angeles released its June 2013 cargo volumes.
June overall volumes decreased 7.2 percent compared to June 2012.
The decrease was due in part to a vessel service that shifted out
of the Port of Los Angeles.
The Philippines Business Mirror reported “Because supply far
exceeds demand, shipping rates have plummeted, as have the prices
of ships. Some shipping companies have sought to capitalize on this
trend by purchasing newer, larger ships at lower prices so that
they can remain price-competitive. But unless demand rebounds by
the time these ships become operational, the industry’s oversupply
problem will only worsen.” SteelGuru.com gave a similarly
pessimistic assessment, despite a recent pickup in Chinese demand
for iron ore.
From left field comes a report from the UK Sunday Times that the
advent of 3D printing will have a huge effect on shipping that
carries China's exports.
China Daily reported that “Responding to rising trade volumes,
Zhengzhou, a business and logistic center in Central China, has
started rail service to Hamburg, Germany. The train takes 18 days
to make the 10,214-kilometer trip, but that's more than twice as
fast as maritime transport. It can also effectively save 80 percent
of the cost compared with air shipments, and it's about $489
cheaper on average compared with road transportation, which is a
major incentive for the Eurasian Land Bridge, also dubbed New Silk
Road.”
Reuters report ed “A flood of orders for new vessels and slower
Chinese growth in demand for commodities could derail a recovery in
dry bulk shipping, industry leaders warn, keeping freight rates low
and threatening a further shake-out among shipping firms.”
On the other hand, Bloomberg reported “Nordea Bank AB (NDA) and
DNB ASA (DNB),two of the world’s largest shipping lenders, are
seeing signs of an end to the maritime industry’s five-year slump
as bets grow on a recovery in sea-borne trade.”
Xinhua reported “With low trade volume growth and greater
capacity addition expected in the second half of the year, Asia's
shipping sector will continue to face a difficult operating
environment although experts see a silver lining for dry-bulk
shipping.”
UN, US & EU Sanctions on Iranian shipping – July
developmentsAl Arabiya quotes Reuters in reporting that “Two top
Chinese shipping lines severed ties with Iran as tough new U.S.
sanctions over the country’s disputed nuclear program came into
effect on Monday, leaving the country increasingly dependent on
front companies and overland routes.”
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http://english.alarabiya.net/en/busines